An Essex Wedding news and ideas from around the county

The Speech Surgery: timings!

Unsure of when to have the wedding speeches? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches has the answer: In the US, speeches are just as common at the rehearsal dinner (the formal dinner prior to the wedding that the 'top table' are invited to) as the wedding day itself. At many British weddings, the speeches are scheduled before the wedding meal; the idea that everyone is officially welcomed to the wedding and the speakers are quickly able to relax (and tuck into the free wine!).

Wedding day wines from leading English wine producer Gusbourne

English wine producer Gusbourne, has a stunning range of the finest vintage sparkling and still wines to elevate any wedding providing guests with an array of exquisite drinks that complement every element, from the welcome drinks to the wedding breakfast and toasts! With Gusbourne wines, every pour becomes a celebration of love and new beginnings, ensuring your wedding day becomes a truly unforgettable affair, brimming with sophistication, charm, and cherished memories. For a spectacular wedding reception, fill your guests' glasses with the exquisite Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2018, a sparkling masterpiece that exudes elegance with its delicate bubbles and refreshing, crisp notes. As guests raise their glasses to toast the happy couple, each sip is vibrant and intense, setting the tone for an evening of celebrations.

LandyCampers ready for 2024 season!

LandyCampers, the UK's most awarded adventure camper hire company, is excited to announce the addition of the Thule Approach Rooftents and the revolutionary Thule Outset Towbar Tent to their fleet for the 2024 season. These new additions continue LandyCampers' mission to provide unparalleled camping experiences with top-of-the-line equipment. Founded by Max and Bela Isham, LandyCampers is dedicated to providing high-quality, sustainable camping adventures, allowing guests to explore the UK and mainland Europe in style and comfort.

Biggest wedding faux pas to avoid on your big day

With more than half (53%) of married Brits confessing to having wedding day regrets, wedding expert and CEO of the UK's largest collection of wedding venues, The Gilchrist Collection, Samantha Gilchrist shares her thoughts on the biggest wedding faux pas' couple should steer clear of to guarantee wedding day success. "You've planned everything down to the tiniest detail and finally get to enjoy your day, why risk something spoiling it? While some of these things are a little outside your control, it's important to let your wedding planner and venue know what your boundaries are, and the things you would find unacceptable, were they to happen on your big day. They'll be able to support you in handling issues both ahead of time and on the day itself.

Witham Carnival Queens visit Park View Care Home

On the 19th of May, Park View Care Home, part of the Runwood Homes group, was honoured to welcome the Witham Carnival Queens and Princesses for a delightful visit, bringing joy and excitement to the residents. The Wellbeing Lead, Diane, organised this special event, which allowed all the residents to meet and interact with the lovely Queens and Princesses. This visit is an annual tradition that the residents eagerly look forward to each year.

These are the most popular 'first dance' songs of 2024, as online searches soar!

Scraping over 350 'First Dance' playlists on Spotify and analysing the 12,000 tracks that featured on them, Diamonds Factory ranked the songs that featured the most to determine the most popular first dance song of 2024. 60 years on, and Etta James' At Last is the most popular first dance song of 2024. The data revealed that Etta James' 'At Last' is the most popular first dance song for couples to choose for their wedding, with the song featuring in a whopping 46 'first dance' playlists. Regardless of the song being released over 60 years ago, Etta's love song is still proving to be a timeless classic for couples.

The Speech Surgery: does my wedding speech have to be funny?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: I'm not funny. Does my wedding speech need to be? I've heard some lovely speeches that haven't contained any humour, but here's the thing...they are the exception to the rule. Nearly every speech is better if it contains a little humour. FACT. Generally, folk from the UK and Australia want their speeches to have a lot of humour in them, while clients from other parts of the world, namely the US, lean towards a sweeter speech, with lighter elements, as opposed to all-out funny.

6 bridesmaid proposal ideas from Getting Personal

Once you've said yes to your future spouse, it's time to recruit your future bridal party. To pop the question you can keep it short and sweet or go with something a little more elaborate. A bridesmaid proposal is the perfect way to ensure they know their special role in your life and, more importantly, on your big day itself. There has been an 85% increase in Google searches for 'bridesmaid proposal ideas'¹ over the past year, therefore gifting experts at Getting Personal have shared 6 bridesmaid proposal ideas for those needing a little inspiration for asking their bridesmaids to be part of their bridal party.

Nutritionist backed wellbeing solutions

Sixways is a brand that provides wellbeing solutions to balance the body's natural hormones, vitamin levels and bring cognitive equilibrium without being a chore to take. With products that cover mood, balance, calm, focus, memory, mental clarity and so much more - Sixways is a one stop shop for overall wellbeing. As well as online you can also stop by your local Holland & Barrett to pick up a sachet or two!

Couples counsellor shares 5 key boundaries to set

As technology brings us closer together than ever, it also has changed how relationships work, from meeting your significant other through an online dating app to having the ability to contact other people instantly at your fingertips. Smartphones have revolutionised communication - but do they strengthen or strain romantic relationships? With this in mind, the smartphone experts at Compare and Recycle have surveyed 2,000 people, delving into the complex world of smartphones. They discovered how many Brits trust their partners with phone passcodes, as well as partnering up with couples counsellor, Susan Leigh, to provide healthy passcode-sharing tips for couples.

Two Essex towns named UK's driest holiday destinations

New research has revealed the UK holiday destinations which see the least rainfall – with Southend and Frinton both named in the top five list. It comes ahead of the spring half term when many families will be planning a short break to the coast or countryside. Ripe analysed historical Met Office data from 130 popular staycation spots to find which have the fewest rainy days each year, and are therefore most likely to offer a drizzle-free break.



Perhaps unsurprisingly, the top 10 can all be found on the east coast of the UK, which typically avoids much of the rainfall that blows in from the Atlantic.

True costs of saying 'I do' revealed by the experts

Recent research by Hodge reveals the dream of getting married can come with a hefty price tag, reaching more than £20,000. Hodge dived into the averages of how much each part of a wedding costs, revealing that food and the honeymoon were the two most expensive parts. When it comes to wedding attire, couples spare no expense to look their best on their special day. According to Hodge's research, the average cost of wedding outfits in the UK is substantial. For instance, the engagement ring alone sets couples back around £1,948 on average, surpassing even the cost of the bride's dress, which averages £1,500. But, the wedding bands cost substantially less, on average couples only spend £1,000 for both rings.

The Speech Surgery: Indian wedding speeches with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. I'm giving a Maid of Honour speech at a large Indian wedding. I've never been to one before... any etiquette I need to be aware of? Speeches are finally getting the attention they deserve at Indian weddings. A couple of decades ago they still weren't that common but now they're finally taking centre stage. And quite literally. In terms of etiquette, there's no major difference but the scale of the event will impact your speech. As we know, most Indian weddings are big events. It's not uncommon to have a guestlist anywhere from 400 to 1,000 guests and speakers are often up on a stage with lighting, sound crews and being filmed too! Check with the bride and find out...

Show your bridesmaids some love with the One4all Beauty & Spa Gift Card

Finding a range of gifts all your bridal party will love can be a struggle, especially when you've got a long wedding checklist to tick off. That's why the One4all Beauty & Spa Favourite Gift Card is an ideal addition to any bridal box or thank you card, it gives your hens the choice to pamper themselves with much-loved brands such as Boots, The Perfume Shop, Rituals, SpaSeekers and many more. It can be loaded with any amount from £15 to a generous £100, perfect if you've got a tight budget but still want to treat your bridesmaids.

Things are heating up at Down Hall Hotel, Spa and Estate

Things are heating up at Down Hall Hotel, Spa and Estate this summer with the return of Live From The Lawn – a series of free live music events - and soulful Sunday Jazz Brunches, both bringing feel-good vibes to the heart of the Essex countryside. From party mixes to Motown classics, the hotel has teamed up with a brilliant selection of talented local artists to entertain all season long. Bask on the sun-soaked terrace with seasonal summer plates, refreshing cocktails, cooling Saffron Waldon ice cream and boogie away to the ultimate soundtrack to your summer.

Jewellery expert shares how to match your nails to your rings

Whether you're searching for an engagement ring for your partner or treating yourself to some new diamond earrings, there is so much to consider when it comes to finding the ideal jewellery. From complementary colours to chunky or more delicate styles, the experts at Abelini have shared four things to consider when purchasing new jewellery. Nilesh Rakholia, Director at jewellery retailer, Abelini, comments: "There are many factors to think about when it comes to buying new jewellery. Whatever the occasion, and whether it's a purchase for yourself or for a loved one, different styles and colours complement people in different ways - there's a perfect jewellery match for everyone!"

Southend's Beatboxing choir!

Southend Vox Chamber Choir is well-known for its ability to perform a wide range of music including pop, choral and swing; and recently the choir's members flexed their vocal talents even further to learn beatboxing! The award-winning Chamber Choir, set up in 2014, usually focuses on performing intricate pieces well suited to special events such as weddings, naming ceremonies and memorials. Always looking to bring a different element to their choral singing, they decided to expand their repertoire to include some beatboxing in some of their more contemporary pieces.

The Speech Surgery: funny photo inclusions yay or nay?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: My husband has been asked to be his brother's best man. We have lots of funny photos of his brother through the years. Should we utilise them in the speech? A decade ago, nearly every best man speech involved a PowerPoint presentation of embarrassing photos of the groom. These days are over. Maybe it's because social media now allows people to look back at laugh at their mates 'fedora' or 'drop crotch' years without needing to wait for a wedding. Or, maybe it's just because using PowerPoint is generally awkward and clunky anywhere other than the boardroom.

Don’t let your wedding decor go to waste: five creative ways to repurpose it!

With the time, money and effort you put into creating the perfect wedding setting for your special day, it only makes sense to make the most out of it, don't you think? If you want to give your decor another ounce of life but are not sure how, look no further. Experts at Diamonds Factory have shared five ways you can repurpose your wedding decor beyond the ceremony. 1.Get creative and repurpose your extra wedding invitations into a DIY project.

Houchins celebrates 10th year anniversary of weddings

This year is Houchins' 10th year anniversary of weddings! To celebrate it's hosting a Garden Party in its grounds - open to all of their lovely past and future couples as well as the general public. The venue will be offering a selection of delicious food, live music from Essex based Sister Sax & Three Mile Hill, face painting, garden games and much more. Save the date: June 9 from 1pm - 7pm. There will also be a prize draw on the afternoon for one of Houchins' past lucky couples to spend a night in the house which sleeps 14. To book you tickets please email info@houchins.co.uk or call on 01376 561448